Condensate sump drain valve



Jan.

1957 w. G. SPIEGELHALTER CONDENSATE SUMP DRAIN VALVE Filed Sept. 12, 1955 v i U U U U U U U U Q Q Q g 2 I/ 0-H a iv- *0 WILLIAM G. SPIEGELHALTER (Q -G 9 LL C:

IN V EN TOR.

HIS ATTORNEY CONDENSATE SUMP DRAIN VALVE William G. Spiegelhalter, Lawrence Park, Erie, Pa., as-

signor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application September 12, 1955, Serial No. 533,650

4 Claims. (Cl. 62--140) My invention relates to apparatus for conditioning the air within an enclosure and more particularly to a conensate sump drain valve for air conditioning apparatus of the reversible type which is capable of both heating and cooling.

Conditioning the air Within an enclosure has been accomplished by apparatus employing a refrigeration cycle and generally located within an opening such as a window in the enclosure. In order to both heat and cool the air within the enclosure the reversible type of refrigerator apparatus has been used containing two heat exchangers, one located within the enclosure and the other outside in contact with the outdoor air. These heat exchangers operate interchangeably as a condenser and evaporator to both heat and cool the enclosure and selective control means are provided at a convenient location on the unit. The apparatus is provided with a sump located beneath the outside coil. During operation of the cooling cycle, troughs in the base pan conduct condensate dropping from the inside coil to this sump. A slinger mounted on the periphery of the outdoor coil fan slings the condensate on the warm condenser, cooling it and disposing of the condensate by evaporation. Condensate from the outdoor coil also collects in this sump when the unit is operating on the heating cycle with the outdoor coil as the evaporaor and, since none of this water is disposed of by evaporation, it builds up and is splashed over the lip of the base pan and onto the cold outdoor coil by the slinger. The apparatus may also at times have to operate on the heating cycle when a below-freezing outside temperature has frozen this sump Water locking the fan and slinger rigid. This usually results in blown fuses or damaged parts when the apparatus is operated.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a drain valve arrangement for eliminating the condensate which has collected in the sump of a reversible type, air conditioning unit.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a drain arrangement for a reversible type, air conditioner which can be easily and conveniently operated in conjunction with the selective cycle control means when reversing the operation of the air conditioner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a'drain means for the condensate sump in a reversible type. room air conditioner which can be readily adapted to either manual or automatic actuation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a drain arrangement for the condensate sump in a reversible type air conditioning unit which enables the unit to operate eihciently under any weather conditions without damage to its working parts.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

nited States Patent 2,777,302 Patented Jan. 15, 1957 In carrying out my invention, I provide a reversible air conditioning apparatus which is composed of an indoor heat exchanger coil and an outdoor heat exchanger coil. A sump is arranged beneath the outdoor coil and receives condensate from whichever coil is functioning as the evaporator. A condenser fan having a slinger ring on its blade tips is provided in connection with the sump to direct the condensate over the outdoor coil during the cooling cycle when the outdoor coil is acting as a condenser. To dispose of the condensate during the heating cycle, the sump is provided with drain means closed during the cooling cycle. When the air conditioner is reversed and operated on the heating cycle the drain means is opened allowing the condensate, to drain from the sump.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is an elevation view of a reversible air conditioner partially cut away to disclose my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a partial diagrammatic view of a portion of the air conditioning system disclosing another embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing I have illustrated in Fig. 1, a reversible.

air conditioning apparatus 1 which is arranged to be positioned within an opening in an enclosure. The outer casing for the unit has been removed to show the various parts. The air conditioning apparatus comprises a fabricated base pan 2 which supports an indoor heat exchanger unit 3 and an outdoor heat exchanger unit 4. Both coils 3 and 4 are of the fin and coil type generally used in refrigerating systems and have circulated therethrough refrigerating liquid. A compressor 5 supported on the base pan is connected by tubing (not shown) with coils 3 and 4. A peripheral flange 6 located around the outer portion of the unit provides a sealing surface for the unit with the edges of the enclosure opening so that outside air will not enter the enclosure around the unit.

The air conditioning apparatus of which my invention is a part is of the reversible type providing selectively either heating or cooling. A reversing valve 7, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 is connected by means of tubing 8 to the circuit comprising coils 3 and 4 and the compressor. A valve slide 9 is arranged to reciprocate between two positions in the valve body. In one position, the valve permits the unit to cool the air within the enclosure with coil 3 functioning as an evaporator and coil 4 as a condenser. In the other position of'the valve slide the operation of the coils is reversed and the unit operates on the heating cycle with coil 3 functioning as a condenser and coil 4 as an evaporator.

During this operation of the unit on the cooling cycle, the moist air within the enclosure moving over the heat transfer surfaces of coil 3 forms a condensate on the coil surfaces which, as it falls, is collected by the base pan 2. The base pan 2 is so formed that the condensate liquid flows towards the rear of the pan in troughs and collects in a reservoir or sump 10 which forms part of the pan.

As shown in Figure 1 a fan blade 11 is mounted on the rear portion of the unit and moves the outside air over coil 4. The fan blade is driven by an electric motor 12 supported by means of bearing pedestals 13 secured by bolts 14 to the base pan 2. Mounted on the periphery of the fan blade 11 is a slinger ring 15 which extends downwardly into the space defined by the sump 10. When the sump It} contains water the slinger ring dips into the water. As the fan rotates the water is picked up, and

ing cycle as it increases the capacity of the condenser and of the refrigerator system.

The sump formed in the base pan 2 beneath the outside coil 4 is provided with an opening 16 which is arranged to accommodate a stopper or plug member 17. The plug 17 is connected by means of a linkage 1% to a'bellcrank lever "19 pivoted on a bracket 20 secured to the base pan 2. At the other end of the bell crank lever an elongated rod 2 1 is connected. The rod 21 terminates in ahead which is joined to a connector 22 mounted on a control rod 23 having a recess 24 adapted to receive the head. Any connecting means may be employed but I prefer an arrangement which provides a flexible coupling between rod 23 and rod 21. A pair of spaced peripheral grooves 25 are formed on the connector 22 which are engageable by a resilient detent 26 attached to the inner wall of the base pan 2. The control rod 23 extends through'an opening 27 in the forward sloping portion of the base pan and is supported at its outer end by a depending bracket 28 suitably mounted on the base pan.

An operating knob 29 may be provided at the forward end of rod 23. The rod 21 is thus arranged for reciprocal movement between two positions as determined by the spaced grooves 25 on the connector 22. In addition the knob 29 is free to rotate due to the flexible connection between rod 23 and rod 21 and the rotational feature may be used to control switches or other control devices on the unit.

The rod 21 is also preferably connected by means of link 30, shown in dotted lines in Figure l, to the valve slide 9 of the reversing valve 7. As shown in Figure 1 the rod 21 has been moved rearwardly and the forward groove 25 engaged by the detent 26. The plug 17 is thus firmly seated in the condensate sump drain opening 16. When the operating rod 21 is withdrawn to the dotted position of Figure 1 the lever 19 pivots and the plug 17 is withdrawn thus clearing the opening 16 in the sump. The other notch 25 is engaged by the detent 26 to hold the rod in this position.

In the operation of the air conditioning apparatus, when the operating rod 21 is in the position as shown. in Figure 1, the plug 17 is inserted in the condensate drain opening 16. By means of the link 30 connected to the rod 21, the valve slide position in the reversing valve is such that the unit operates on the cooling cycle and the coil 3 acts as an evaporator and coil 4 as a condenser. Condensate from coil 3 drains down on the base pan 2 and flows directly into the sump 10. As coil 4 is operating as a condenser the slinger ring 15 picks up the condensate from the sump and splashes it over the coil 4 producing a cooling effect. Thus the condensate is evaporated and carried away by the fan 11 which circulates the outside air over the condenser.

When it is desired to operate the unit on the heating cycle, the rod 21 is shifted by means of knob 29 to the dotted line position of Figure 1 where the rear groove 25 on the connector 22 is engaged by the resilient detent 26. When the rod 21 moves, the bell crank lever 19 is pivoted on bracket 20 to its dotted line position as shown in Figure 1 and the plug 17 i withdrawn from the opening 16 permitting the condensate sump 10 to be drained of water. As the link 30 is rigidly connected to rod 21, the valve slide 9 moves simultaneously to the valve position for the heating cycle. Coil 3 now acts as a condenser and coil 4 as an evaporator. When the apparatus is thus operated on the heating cycle, moisture in the outside air condenses on the outdoor coil 4 and falls and collects in the sump. It is desirable to eliminate this water from the sump as Well as any water that might remain from a previous cooling operation since little of it is disposed of by evaporation and it would build up and be splashed over the lip of the base pan 2 and onto the condenser by the fan slinger ring. Additionally, there is the hazard of the water freezing in the sump and locking the fan blade and slinger ring in position causing the fusible element in the circuit to blow or possibly doing damage to the working parts. The condensate in the sump is thus automatically eliminated by the withdrawal of the sump plug when the heating cycle control setting is made.

in Figure 2 an electrically controlled modification of my invention is shown. A push button or switch 32 is provided on the unit at some convenient location within the enclosure. When this switch is closed, power is supplied through supply conductors 33 and connecting lines 34 so a solenoid 35. The solenoid 35 contains an armature 36 to which is attached the plug 17. When the solenoid 35 is energized, the plug 17 is drawn upwardly with the armature. Thus the drain opening 16 in the condensate sump is opened to permit the collected liquid to drain. When the switch 32 is opened the solenoid 35 is tie-energized and the plug 17 is allowed to drop by virtue of its own weight into the sump opening 16 into scaling engagement.

The power supply 33 and switch 32 are connected directly to another solenoid 37 which electrically operates the reversing valve mechanism 7. When the valve solenoid 37 is energized the valve moves to a position wherein the tubing 8 is connected for the heating cycle in the reversible air conditioning apparatus similar to the action described above. When the solenoid 37 is de-ener gized by the opening of switch 32 the valve is caused to move under suitable biasing means (not shown) to the other position in the reversible system for the cooling cycle valve connections.

As it is desirable to seal the opening .16 in the sump 10 during the cooling cycle, the opening of switch 32 permits the plug 17 to drop into sealing position with the simultaneous movement of the valve slide in the valve 7 under its biasing means to the cooling cycle position. When it is desired to operate the unit on the heating cycle, the switch 32 is closed and the solenoid withdraws the plug 17 from its sealing position permitting the sump to drain. The solenoid 37 of the reversing valve 7 is energized simultaneously moving the valve slide against its biasing means making the proper valve connections for the heating cycle. Thus, in a manner similar to that described in the apparatus of Figure l, the sump 10 is permitted to drain during the heating cycle and water contained therein does not accumulate or will not freeze and interfere with the action of the fan 11 and the slinger ring 15.

In summation, it will be seen that l have provided an improved arrangement for a reversible air conditioning apparatus whereby automatic and rapid removalof condensate water from the unit can be obtained during the heating cycle. With the removal of such condensate there is no water in the unit which is subject to freezing during cold weather and consequently impairing or severely damaging parts of the unit which might be restrained by the ice. Neither does any splashing of cold water over the outside coil or the base pan lip occur during the heating cycle. At the same time during the cooling cycle of the unit a suitable reservoir of condensate is nevertheless maintained to produce the desired cooling effects of the outside condenser coil. Likewise l have provided a simple and positive control means whereby the draining of the condensate is automatically obtained when the change over from the cooling to the heating cycle is made. It will be noted also that my system is readily adaptable both to manual as well as automatic actuation.

While in accordance with the patent statutes l have described what at present are considered to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the inven tion, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a reversible heat transfer system for an enclosure, a compressor, a pair of complementary interconnected evaporatoncondenser units, one inside and the other outside said enclosure each having valve connections with said compressor and selectively operable for heating and cooling said enclosure, condensate accumulating means associated with the outdoor units, and drain means operable during said heating cycle only to drain said condensate accumulating means.

2. In combination, reversible heat transfer means for an enclosure comprising a heat exchanger unit within said enclosure, a heat exchanger unit outside of said enclosure, a compressor, connections for circulating heat transfer fluid between said heat exchanger units and said compressor, means for reversing the heating and cooling functions of said heat exchanger units, a sump arranged below said outside heat exchanger unit to accommodate condensate flowing from both of said heat exchangers a drain within said sump opened only when said heat transfer means is operative for heating said enclosure.

3. In combination, a reversible heat transfer system for an enclosure including a compressor, a pair of complementary interconnected evaporator-condenser units, one inside and the other outside said enclosure each having valve connections with said compressor selectively operable for heating and for cooling said enclosure, control means for reversing said heat transfer means, a sump arranged below said outside unit having a drain opening, a plug movable into sealing engagement with said drain opening by said control means simultaneously with selecting said cooling cycle, said control means simultaneously withdrawing said plug from said drain opening with selecting said heating cycle.

4. In combination, a reversible heat transfer meanstfor an enclosure including a compressor, a pair of complementary interconnected evaporator-condenser units, one inside and the other outside said enclosure each having valve connections with said compressor selectively operable for heating and for cooling said enclosure, electromagnetic control means for reversing said heat transfer means, a sump having a drain opening arranged below said outside unit, a movable plug movable into sealing engagement with said drain opening simultaneously with selecting said cooling cycle, and electromagnetic means energizable by said control means to Withdraw said plug from said drain opening simultaneously with selecting said heating cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,105,958 Smilack I an. 18, 1938 2,357,362 Smith Sept. 5, 1944 2,388,314 Eisinger Nov. 6, 1945 

